Peer Review

Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Feb 15, 2019 by Psychology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The Greater Good Magazine reports on groundbreaking research into the roots of compassion, happiness, and altruism. Based at the University of California--Berkeley, the site contains an impressive array of professionally presented and research-based videos, podcasts, articles and quizzes that provide insight into nurturing personal well-being and leading a meaningful life in easily accessible formats.

From the website: Greater Good magazine is published by the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at the University of California, Berkeley. Since 2001, the GGSC has been at the fore of a new scientific movement to explore the roots of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior—the science of a meaningful life.

Type of Material:

Collection (articles, videos, quizzes, podcasts)

Recommended Uses:

The articles, videos, and podcasts can be linked to college course websites, fashioned into assignments, or used as in-class discussion starters providing a good starting point for groups researching these topics and educators looking to improve the well-being of their students in a variety of situations.
The quizzes could be used as an introduction to the topic or homework as they provide a score, good feedback, and suggested further reading on the topic.

Technical Requirements:

The website content is easily displayed and accessed via multiple browsers, both mobile and PC, and functions with accessible technology. Some of the videos are hosted by YouTube.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The Greater Good Magazine translates scientific research on compassion, happiness, and altruism into accessible guidance for everyday life (both personal and professional).

Target Student Population:

The website's materials are appropriate for a College General Ed population, particularly suitable for general education, psychology, and sociology, but generally are designed for a wide-ranging audience, including "parents, educators, business leaders, and health care professionals."

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

No prerequisite skills are needed. Visitors to the web site need only bring an interest in personal well-being and the idea of a compassionate society.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The research-based nature of the presented content makes the site especially useful for college-level courses in psychology. Many articles contain links to original research (e.g., journal articles or journal article abstracts) and suggested further reading on the topic.
New, updated materials (articles, podcasts, videos) are continuously added to the site to keep the site's content current.
The site offers a comprehensive exploration of "greater good" topics. Visitors can surf for information under nine (9) general topics (e.g., community, culture, politics, relationships, workplace) or under ten (10) specific keys to well-being (e.g., compassion, empathy, forgiveness, happiness).

Concerns:

None.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

The information on the site is well-grounded in current research.
The range of materials--articles, videos, podcasts, quizzes--can inform many different class activities and assignments.
The quizzes give students a particularly effective opportunity for self-exploration (e.g., happiness at work, altruism) while also allowing them to experience and contribute to research in the field. The embed code for quizzes is contained in the Greater Good web site, and instructors could easily add a quiz to a college course web site as an activity.
Podcasts can be downloaded via iTunes for on-the-go listening (a popular option with many students).

Concerns:

Instructors who use Greater Good learning materials for class purposes will need to design assignments/activities and learning objectives (as this is not the purpose of the site).

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

Videos stream quickly, and the site links well to social media.
The website is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. The navigation menu allows for surfing by topic, by keys to well-being, and by type of learning material (e.g., podcasts, videos, quizzes).
Registration to the Greater Good Magazine web site is free though there also is an option to purchase an annual Greater Good membership (which comes with additional options for content).
The site also features a variety of links to workshops, online courses (for personal enjoyment or professional development), and tools (such as a Happiness Calendar with daily links to podcasts, articles, and activities).

Concerns:

There are several pop-ups asking for cookie permission/donations which can be a little difficult to close on a mobile device.

Other Issues and Comments:: An excellent resource for studying and promoting compassion, happiness, and personal and professional well-being and one that can be used to help students of all ages develop a better understanding of these areas.
Creative Commons: